Filenews 24 April 2024
Police in Paphos have arrested a 35-year-old man for an investigation into illegal possession of burglary tools and stabbing.
His arrest took place when members of the Pafos Traffic Police stopped a car carrying three people on Tombs of the Kings Avenue. The car was driven by a 35-year-old man with two people aged 34 and 36 as passengers.
In the possession of the 35-year-old driver were found a knife with a blade 10cm long ending in a pointed edge, the transport of which is prohibited, as well as various objects that are burglary tools. Police arrested the 35-year-old, who is in custody.
On the same day, police arrested a 39-year-old man for an investigated case of burglary and theft from a warehouse in the community of Tala.
A 30-year-old man reported a break-in of his warehouse in Tala, from which various tools with a total value of €1600 were stolen. During the investigation of the case, testimony initially emerged against a 35-year-old woman who was arrested, brought before the Pafos District Court and a detention order was issued for two days.
Further examinations by the police revealed possible involvement in the case of the 39-year-old. He was arrested and questioned and confessed to committing the burglary and handed over the stolen property. The 35-year-old was subsequently released without a written charge.
* * * * * *
BB Dhekelia Police confirmed that multiple arrests have been made in the context of joint operations ahead of Easter, together with the Police of the Republic of Cyprus and the British Bases Department of Customs and Immigration.
In two of the five planned joint operations in April, arrests were made for possession of class A drugs – crystal methamphetamine – attempting to smuggle chemicals through the Pergamos roadblock and various traffic offences.
The arrests came after the three agencies worked together to combat the widespread illegal distribution of fireworks and firecrackers over Easter.
The use of fireworks and improvised explosive devices (made of pipes) is a problem all over Cyprus, especially during Easter.
Senior Lieutenant Michael Angelides explained that combining their efforts allows police officers to cover a much larger area and detect all crimes, not just Easter firecrackers.
He said: "We know of course that firecrackers at this time of year are of great concern, as they can fall into the hands of children and cause great damage to themselves, others and property.
"Working side by side with our partners in the BB Department of Customs and Immigration, the RoC Police and the United Nations, we are able to exchange information and identify those who attempt to transport illegal fireworks from the occupied areas to the areas of BB and the Republic of Cyprus."
He went on to explain how other arrests are being made not only for possession of illegal fireworks: "We are not on the streets trying to catch those carrying fireworks only. Our joint efforts mean we have personnel on the ground, ready to act and make arrests for anyone who tries to break the law.
"These two operations so far underscore our shared commitment."
* * * * * *
With a pistol and at a very close distance, two assailants attempted to kill a 34-year-old man yesterday afternoon, on a busy street, defying passers-by and those who operate near Anthoupoleos Avenue.
The new murder attempt, which follows the one last January in Aglantzia, again on a busy avenue, shows the emboldening of criminals who do not count innocents in order to carry out their purpose. The victim of the attempt is a person known to the authorities due to his connection with another well-known person of the night.
The 34-year-old was leaving around 12.30 noon from the Lakatamia police station where he had visited two friends who are being held there. He had departed on his large displacement motorcycle and wearing his helmet. He took Anthoupoleos Avenue, from the lights Zorba towards Nicosia. Just before the descent by Super Home, the 34-year-old was approached by a scooter motorcycle, with two occupants who were also wearing helmets. In fact, at one point the two motorcycles were moving side by side, which raises suspicions whether they knew each other.
The passenger, as everything seems and according to testimonies that exist, recovered a pistol and fired three shots at a very close distance at the 34-year-old. One hit him in the neck, while the other two in the ribs. The victim immediately lost control of his motorcycle and ended up on the ground, while the two perpetrators developed speed and left towards Nicosia.
Information from "F" states that at least three passing drivers saw or were the first persons to notice the driver of the motorcycle bleeding on the ground. One person reported that although he did not hear the gunshots because he was confined to his vehicle due to heat, he saw a person fall from the bike and immediately attempt to remove the helmet from his head. He stopped his vehicle and got off to offer help, and he said the victim was barely breathing and snoring could be heard.
The investigating authorities are concerned about why the 34-year-old was moving at low speed while riding a large displacement motorcycle, as a result of which the two perpetrators approached him on a scooter-type motorcycle that is much less horsepower and even had two people on board. As mentioned above, it is being closely examined whether the victim and perpetrators knew each other.
After the attempt, the victim was transported by ambulance to the First Aid Department of Nicosia General Hospital where he underwent several hours of surgery. His condition is critical and he is constantly monitored by doctors in the intensive care unit.
The scene was cordoned off and members of the Criminal Investigation Service proceeded with investigations to collect evidence. Three shell casings were found which will be scientifically examined, while investigators were given a description of the scooter the perpetrators were riding in order to locate it. Information about a fire on a motorcycle that was given shortly after the attempt was found to be untenable. Investigations are focusing on CCTV to determine whether there is video showing the two motorcycles either together or separately before the attempted murder.
The new head of ICF is I. Yiorkatzis
The new criminal act triggered a mobilization of the authorities and coincided with an unexpected event. Yesterday, the management of the Nicosia Crime Detection Department changed hands, after its current officer, Andreas Lambrianos, was transferred as head of the Information Management and Analysis Service. The new person in charge was Ioannis Yiorkadjis, who had served at the ICF at the time when the crimes of the serial killer were solved.
Three shell casings, cell phone and testimonials
With enough evidence in their hands, the investigators attended a meeting at the ICF Nicosia in the presence of senior officers of the Headquarters. After analyzing the information and other data that exists, it was decided the first actions to be taken in specific directions. The fact that the crime is attributed to the interests of the night and the personal circumstances of the victim shows the investigators investigating this crime that it is quite difficult to solve it if no testimony is found pointing in a specific direction.
The next 24 hours are critical and it is estimated that without scientific evidence in the evidence found or if the motorcycle used by the would-be killers is not found, then it is difficult to locate them.
Investigators have obtained the 34-year-old's cell phone for which they will seek a decree on his telecommunications data in an effort to identify evidence related to the case under investigation. Detainees have also been approached by the Lakatamia police if the victim had expressed fears for his life.
It is noted that due to yesterday's murder attempt, the road Anthoupoli – Palaichori was closed for some time with drivers being channelled from other directions so that the Police could collect evidence from the scene.
